Family activities including archery and crafts at Gardens of Easton Lodge Tudor-themed Open Day on Sunday May 18

Discover the Tudor history of The Gardens of Easton Lodge with a host of fun activities for the whole family on Sunday May 18.

The Historic England Grade II registered gardens at Little Easton, near Great Dunmow, will be open from 11am to 5pm for visitors to find out more about their fascinating past.

You can have a go at archery, children can make crafts including cordage bangles and there will be Tudor foods to sample while traditional music will be performed by Colchester Waits.

There will also be plant and craft stalls as well as a children’s trail.

Members of White Dragon Archery will be on hand for anyone over the age of eight to have a go using English longbows and arrows.

Helen from Discover Bushcraft will help guests to make cordage bangles, with natural materials being made into twine and decorated with a natural bead.

The gardens look particularly beautiful in their lush spring foliage and blossom in May. The fresh leaves on the box hedges in the walled kitchen garden are a brilliant lime green while the golden yew walk provides a dramatic backdrop to the Italian garden.

The month starts with the laburnums dripping gold and the handkerchief bracts wafting on their tree. The bluebells, forget-me-nots and cowslips draw attention to hidden corners. And the early roses and late tulips bring colour among the greens in the Italian garden.

By the end of the month, there are alliums giving a vibrant splash of purple, the Italian garden is a picture of colour from the helianthemum, weigela and roses and the herb flowers in the walled kitchen garden are hopefully welcoming bees and butterflies.

To book tickets for the Tudor-themed open day, visit www.eastonlodge.co.uk or www.Trybooking.com. Visitors are welcome to bring picnics while dogs on leads are allowed.

The gardens are also currently open every Thursday, from 11am to 3pm, and there is a special VE Day exhibition tomorrow (Thursday May 8).

Visitors will find a wealth of information and pictures displayed in the archive building.

There will also be a chance to reflect on the sacrifices others made for us by spending some quiet time in the glade within the gardens and in Little Easton Church where there are memorials to the men and women who served at Great Dunmow airfield and lost their lives in the Second World War.

The trust’s volunteers will be serving refreshments in the form of hot and cold drinks and homemade cakes.